Grace

“‘Grace’ was written in 1988 for Leonard Bernstein’s 70th birthday celebration at Tanglewood. Soprano Roberta Alexander was the soloist and I accompanied her in the first performance, on August 24. It was part of a marathon concert of music written especially for the occasion. It meant a lot to me that Lenny loved it and asked that we sing it before meals and gatherings during that final period of his life.”

—Michael Tilson Thomas

Text

Thanks to whoever is there
For this tasty plate of herring!
Thanks to whoever may care
For this tasty plate of herring.

Yesterday, swimming swift in a salty sea
And today, silver offerings made to me
So, if you please, won’t you pass me whatever’s still left
Of this tasty treat we’re sharing
’Cause the truth is, it tastes good.
Um um um.

Thanks to whoever is there
For the sacred joy of music
(and thank you fiddlers and flutists and divas and rock and roll
drummers)
Thanks to whoever has dared
Give us brave new sounds of music
(thank you composers, professors, and casual off-the-cuff
hummers)

So commend
Singers down through the centuries
Cherished friends Wolfgang, Gustav, George, dear Lenny
It seems to me that we all feel so close to the truth
In the notes our souls declaring
And the truth is it feels good.
Um um um.

So many people calling out to one another,
Help us to hear them,
Teach us that all men are brothers,
So many people,
So many stories,
So many questions,
So many blessings

Make us grateful whatever comes next
In this life on earth we’re sharing
For the truth is life is good

So many memories…

Ah-ah-ah Amen

Lyrics by Michael Tilson Thomas